Reserve schools

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Home : 2003 : February : 17

Reserve schools
By Cathy-Dee

I haven't taught directly on a reserve, but I do teach in an area that is primarily native (Cree and Metis). I also know quite a few teachers who do teach on the reserves around my area. I also get quite a few children
throughout the year from the reserves who come to town for various reasons.
It is a unique situation to teach on a reserve. Sometimes it can be a very positive experience and then there can be some very negative ones as well. I agree with the last poster I would think it would be difficult to stay in a reserve school for a number of years. Some of the reserve schools in my area are

also "fly-in" communities for at least part of the year - I don't think I could handle that much isolation myself.

From what I've heard at least in our area - attendance is the biggest concern for many of the students. I know there are wonderful teachers in many of the reserve schools but they can only do so much when their students don't attend school. And of course the parents tend to have more power and that can be good but quite often it ends up not being so good.

You are more than welcome to email me if you ever just want to chat.